Isla San Lucas (old prison island)
Landmark · Nicoya Peninsula
An uninhabited island in the Gulf of Nicoya that served for decades as one of Costa Rica's most feared prisons and is now a national wildlife refuge. Guided visits walk you through the old cell blocks and their history, with forest, wildlife and small beaches around them.
- Time there
- 4 h
- Best time
- morning tour
- Kids
- 3 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 2 / 10
- Swimming
- 3 / 10
- Effort
- 2 / 10
- Location
- 9.94252, -84.90617 — Google Maps
- Ratings
- 4.6 on Google (131)
Before you go
- Tickets
- Better to book ahead
- Bring
- water, sun protection, closed shoes
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Go with a guide - reviewers say the stories about the island's past inmates are the highlight.
Be careful
Hot and exposed - bring water, sun protection and closed shoes for the ruins.
Getting there
Only by boat, on organized tours across the Gulf of Nicoya (it lies between Puntarenas and Paquera).
Places nearby
- Parque Marino del PacíficoParks & WildlifeAquarium park in Puntarenas' old railway station, about three hectares of tanks with sea turtles, tropical fish, rays, crocodiles and large sharks, plus a small pool and play area for children - an easy family stop at the east end of the seafront.
- Bahía Rica (bioluminescent kayak tours & fishing lodge)Tours & AdventureA small wooden kayak-and-fishing lodge on the bluff 1.5 km east of the Paquera ferry landing, best known for its night kayak tour on Paquera's bio-bay, where every paddle stroke lights up blue-green plankton and you can even jump in and swim through the glow.
- Tortuga Island Tour (Isla Tortuga Tour Costa Rica)Tours & Adventure · from $70High-volume Isla Tortuga operator: snorkeling, a beach day and lunch on the island, with departures from Tambor and Montezuma, Santa Teresa and Puntarenas.
- Soda La EsmeraldaSodas & Local FoodA roadside soda on the Paquera-Tambor road with a solid Google rating from over 250 reviews - a handy refuel stop for traditional Costa Rican food.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/526609394 · Wikidata Q592125 · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q592125 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/526609394 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/12659766 · https://www.google.com/maps/search/Isla+San+Lucas+Puntarenas